1. Klein DeNatale Goldner
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, business litigation
Case Types Handled: Left-turn motorcycle accidents, intersection collisions, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, lane splitting accidents, road hazard accidents, government agency negligence claims, defective product claims, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, police report analysis, road design defect evaluation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation in Fresno County Superior Court, settlement negotiations, comparative fault defense
Background: Klein DeNatale Goldner has served individuals and families across the San Joaquin Valley for nearly 75 years. The firm combines regional knowledge of Fresno’s roads and traffic patterns with a proven record of success. They maintain offices in Fresno and across California.
Location: 4550 California Avenue, Second Floor, Bakersfield, CA 93309 (serves Fresno)
Contact: (661) 485-2100 | https://www.kleinlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
2. Fowler Helsel Vogt
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, insurance bad faith
Case Types Handled: Left-turn motorcycle accidents, intersection collisions, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, distracted driver accidents, drunk driver accidents, lane splitting accidents, road hazard accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence preservation, witness interviews, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, comparative negligence defense
Background: Fowler Helsel Vogt has over 40 years of experience representing motorcycle accident victims in Fresno and throughout the Central Valley. The firm’s attorneys understand the unique challenges faced by motorcyclists and are committed to protecting their clients’ rights.
Location: 7310 N Palm Ave, Suite 103, Fresno, CA 93711
Contact: (559) 900-1280 | https://www.fhvlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
3. Bojat Law Group
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Left-turn motorcycle accidents, intersection collisions, lane change accidents (particularly Highway 99 and Shaw Avenue), blind spot accidents, left-hand turn accidents at shopping centers, lane splitting accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, punitive damage claims, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims
Background: Attorney Sasha Bojat is a Certified Personal Injury Specialist by the California Bar Association and a former motorcycle rider who brings unique perspective to motorcycle accident cases. The firm has handled more than 100 motorcycle accident cases and secured over $75 million in reimbursements for clients. They maintain intentionally small caseloads to provide personal attention.
Location: 3825 N First St, Suite 246, Fresno, CA 93726 (and Los Angeles office)
Contact: (818) 877-4878 | https://www.bojatlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation, available 24/7, contingency fee basis
4. Drake Law Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents
Case Types Handled: Left-turn motorcycle accidents, intersection collisions, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, lane splitting accidents, lane change accidents, drunk driver accidents, distracted driver accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases, defective product claims
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, private investigator services, expert consultation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations
Background: Drake Law Firm has recovered millions in compensation for motorcycle accident victims across Fresno and the state of California. Attorney Benjamin Drake and the team of paralegals, investigators, and support staff have dedicated their careers to fighting for the injured. The firm only handles injury cases and has decades of experience representing motorcycle riders.
Location: 5588 N. Palm Ave., Fresno, CA 93704
Contact: (559) 436-3800 | https://www.drakelawgroup.com
Consultation: Free and confidential consultation
5. Alvandi Law Group, P.C.
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, product liability
Case Types Handled: Left-turn motorcycle accidents, intersection collisions, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, lane splitting accidents, lane change accidents, drunk driver accidents, distracted driver accidents, hit-and-run accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence preservation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical records review, comparative negligence defense
Background: Alvandi Law Group has recovered over $1 billion in compensation for clients throughout California. The firm provides dedicated support and legal guidance for motorcycle accident victims in Fresno and surrounding areas. They are available 24/7 for consultations.
Location: Serves Fresno from multiple California locations
Contact: (559) 900-1280 | https://www.alvandigroup.com
Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in California
Statute of Limitations: California provides two years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Claims against government entities have shorter deadlines, typically requiring a claim to be filed within six months of the accident.
Fault System: California is an at-fault (tort) state. The party responsible for causing the accident is liable for damages.
Comparative Negligence: California follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Injured motorcyclists can recover compensation regardless of their percentage of fault. Recovery is reduced by the motorcyclist’s share of responsibility. For example, if you are 40% at fault, you can recover 60% of your damages.
Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements:
- $15,000 for bodily injury to one person
- $30,000 for bodily injury to two or more persons
- $5,000 for property damage
Helmet Law: California has a universal helmet law. All motorcycle riders and passengers, regardless of age, must wear a DOT-approved safety helmet. The helmet must be properly sized, securely fastened with straps, and must not have excessive lateral or vertical movement. Not wearing a helmet can affect compensation for head injuries under comparative negligence principles.
Eye Protection: California does not require eye protection by law, though it is strongly recommended. Riders can wear ear plugs as long as they can still hear emergency sirens.
Lane Splitting/Filtering: California is the only state that explicitly permits lane splitting under California Vehicle Code Section 21658.1. Lane splitting is legal when performed safely and prudently. The California Highway Patrol recommends not lane splitting when traffic is moving at 30 mph or faster and not exceeding the speed of surrounding traffic by more than 10 mph.
Motorcycle Licensing: Riders must complete the California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP), which is mandatory for riders under 21 and recommended for all others. Riders must pass a written test, vision exam, and driving test to obtain a Class M1 or M2 motorcycle license.
Equipment Requirements: Motorcycles must have at least one mirror, handlebars no higher than shoulder height when seated, a properly functioning exhaust system meeting emissions standards, and DOT-approved tires.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Not mandatory but highly recommended. Many accidents involve drivers with inadequate insurance coverage.
Damage Caps: California does not have caps on compensatory damages in personal injury cases against private parties. Punitive damages are available in cases involving malice, oppression, or fraud.
Passenger Regulations: Passengers are only allowed if the motorcycle has a seat specifically designed for passengers and has footrests for the passenger.
Motorcycle Safety Training: The California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP) provides a 15-hour course with 5 hours of classroom instruction and 10 hours of riding instruction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in California?
A: California provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from motorcycle accidents. If your claim is against a government entity (such as the City of Fresno or Fresno County), you must file a claim within six months of the accident. Missing these deadlines typically results in losing your right to seek compensation.
Q: How does California’s comparative negligence rule affect my motorcycle accident claim?
A: California follows a pure comparative negligence system, which allows injured motorcyclists to recover compensation regardless of their percentage of fault. Your recovery is reduced by your share of responsibility. For example, if your damages are $100,000 and you are found 25% at fault, you can recover $75,000. Even if you are 90% at fault, you can still recover 10% of your damages from the other party.
Q: Am I required to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle in California?
A: Yes, California has a universal helmet law requiring all motorcycle riders and passengers to wear a DOT-approved safety helmet, regardless of age. The helmet must be properly fitted and securely fastened. Not wearing a helmet or wearing a non-compliant helmet can result in traffic citations and can significantly reduce your compensation if head injuries occur in an accident.
Q: Is lane splitting legal for motorcyclists in California?
A: Yes, California is the only state that explicitly permits lane splitting under Vehicle Code Section 21658.1. However, lane splitting must be performed safely and prudently. The CHP recommends not lane splitting when traffic is moving at 30 mph or faster and not exceeding the speed of surrounding traffic by more than 10 mph. Unsafe lane splitting can result in citations and may affect your recovery if an accident occurs.
Q: What compensation can I recover after a motorcycle accident in California?
A: California motorcycle accident victims can recover economic damages including medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and property damage. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. In cases involving egregious conduct (malice, oppression, or fraud), punitive damages may be available. Wrongful death claims allow surviving family members to recover for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.